The following is leading Canadian wine critic Michael Godel’s (recently published) tasting note on the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Fiore, which he tasted earlier this year. You can read all of Michael’s notes from the 2017 Benvenuto Brunello tasting here, including notes on a number of Barbi’s current releases. Fattoria dei Barbi 2012 … Continue reading →

Above: “An Episode in the Life of Blessed John Colombini” by fifteenth-century painter and miniaturist Priamo della Quercia (image via Wikipedia). I’m sure that Stefano will be able to tell us more about the people portrayed in this panel and what they are doing. But I imagine they are Sienese aristocrats who are imploring John … Continue reading →

Don’t miss the Panzazella Cook-Off Challenge this weekend at the Fattoria dei Barbi! The Blessed Panzanella A Gastronomic Competition mostly but not wholly for the fun of it Dedicated to this classic rustic Tuscan dish and its inventor, the Blessed Giovanni Colombini. Sunday, July 30, 2017 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. … Continue reading →

Tuscany has always had some of the greatest beef in the world. A lot of people don’t realize that, historically, much of the region has been devoted to pasture-based ranching. Especially as you move toward the coast, you move into Tuscan cowboy country. Tuscany is renowned for its Chianina breed of cattle, one of the … Continue reading →

Above: Chef Lucia Megalli (foreground) will be preparing a classic Tuscan country feast for this weekend’s Harvest Festival. For more information and to reserve, please click here. ANTIPASTI Selection of salumi and pecorino White bean and tuna salad Anchovies with Tuscan pesto Mini frittatas with spinach and potatoes FIRST COURSES Wild turkey broth with taglionlini … Continue reading →

Wishing all of our friends in the U.S. a HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! Continue reading →